Here Are All the Movies Opening Today, August 8th. What Will You See?

Here Are All the Movies Opening Today, August 8th. What Will You See?

Here are the films opening theatrically in the U.S. the week of Friday, August 8th. (Synopses provided by distributor unless listed otherwise.)About AlexDirector: Jesse ZwickCast: Aubrey Plaza, Max Greenfield, Max Minghella, Jason Ritter, Nate Parker, Maggie Grace, Jane LevySynopsis: "A circle of twenty-something friends reunite for a weekend away to console a suicidal member of their group. Yet, despite their best efforts to enjoy themselves, a tinderbox of old jealousies, unrequited love, and widening political differences leads to an explosion of drama that, coupled with the flammable combination of drugs, wine, and risotto, cannot be contained." [Tribeca Film Festival]Criticwire Grade Average: B (4 reviews)Theatrical Release: Various (including New York, Los Angeles, Orlando, Scottsdale, Seattle and Toronto)

AfterDirector: Pieter Gaspersz Cast: Kathleen Quinlan, John Doman, Pablo Schreiber, Sabrina Gennarino, Adam Scarimbolo, Diane Neal, Darrin Dewitt Henson, Bruno Gunn, Mandy Gonzalez, Joseph Ferrante, Tracey HoweSynopsis: "A haunting and powerful psychological drama set in the winter of 2002 in chilly upstate New York, AFTER tells the story of a middle class family struggling with the financial consequences of a failing family business and a series of intergenerational conflicts and rivalries. But, what truly threatens to upset their delicate balance–and shatter the emotionally fragile family matriarch– is an intricately buried secret that, if revealed, could alter their lives irrevocably."Theatrical Release: New York, Atlanta, Dallas and Houston (opens in Los Angeles, Phoenix and Tampa on August 15th)

Deepsea Challenge 3DDirector: John Bruno, Andrew Wight and Raymond QuintSynopsis: "Described as being a film about determination, danger and the ocean’s greatest depths, James Cameron’s ‘Deepsea Challenge 3D’ tells the story of Cameron’s journey to fulfill his boyhood dream of becoming an explorer. The movie offers a unique insight into Cameron’s world as he makes that dream reality – and makes history – by becoming the first person to travel solo to the deepest point on the planet."Theatrical Release: Wide

The DogDirector: Allison Berg & Frank KeraudrenSynopsis: "Coming of age in the 1960s, John Wojtowicz’ libido was unrestrained even by the libertine standards of the era, with multiple wives and lovers, both women and men. In August 1972, he attempted to rob a Brooklyn bank to finance his lover’s sex-reassignment surgery, resulting in a fourteen-hour hostage situation that was broadcast live on television. Three years later, John was portrayed by Al Pacino as ‘Sonny,’ and his crime immortalized in one of the most iconic New York movies of all time, Dog Day Afternoon. The film had a profound influence on Wojtowicz (who pronounced his name ‘Woto-wits’), and when he emerged from a six-year prison sentence, he was known by his self-imposed nickname: ‘The Dog.’ Drawing upon extraordinary archival footage, the film shuffles between the 1970s and the 2000s. Touching upon the sexual revolution of the 1970s, we gain a first-hand perspective on New York’s historical gay liberation movement in which Wojtowicz played an active role. In later footage, he remains a subversive force, backed by the unconditional love and headstrong wit of his mother Terry. The hows and whys of the bank robbery are recounted in gripping detail by Wojtowicz and various eyewitnesses, and don’t necessarily always align with one another."Criticwire Grade Average: B+ (8 reviews)Theatrical Release: New York and Los Angeles (expands to various cities nationwide throughout August and September)

Fifi Howls from HappinessDirector: Mitra FarahaniSynopsis: "An act of recovery, and an entrancing documentary construction that appears to weave its own form as it proceeds, according to the inspirations and demands of its jubilant, egotistical and irascible subject. That subject is the Iranian painter and sculptor Bahman Mohasses, who was a celebrated and iconoclastic figure in the pre-revolutionary 60s and 70s, known for his art as well as his merciless public pronouncements. Mohasses remained in Iran after the revolution, but he frequently traveled in secret to Italy, which he finally made his home in 2006. Throughout the years, many of his works were destroyed by the new government, and many more by Mohasses himself. Filmmaker Mitra Farhani tracked down Mohasses in a Roman hotel and filmed him during the last six months of his life. The poetic self-portrait that they made together is a joyous celebration of freedom—to create, to destroy, to indulge, to pontificate and make withering judgments, to live without regret." [Film Society of Lincoln Center]Theatrical Release: New York (opens in Los Angeles on August 15th)

Synopsis: "In the span of just a few hours, the city of Silverton is ravaged by an unprecedented onslaught of the most furious twisters they’ve ever seen. The entire town is at the mercy of the erratic and deadly cyclones, even as storm trackers predict the worst is yet to come. Most people seek shelter, while others run toward the vortex, testing how far a storm chaser will go for that once-in-a-lifetime shot."Theatrical Release: Wide

The Maid’s RoomDirector: Michael WalkerCast: Remy Auberjonois, John Brodsky, Stefanie Brown, Bill Camp, Herman Chavez, Bonnie Dennison, Philip Ettinger, Paula Garces, Annabella SciorraSynopsis: "Set and filmed on Long Island, "The Maid’s Room" follows Drina (Paula Garces), an immigrant who takes a job for the season as live-in maid to the Crawfords, a privileged New York family who maintain a splendid home in the Hamptons. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford spend most of their time in the city, but their teenage son, Brandon, spends the summer on the beach, and Drina must look after him and his spoiled friends. The maid’s room is next to the garage, and Drina overhears Brandon when he returns late one night, noisily and obviously drunk. The next day, she reads in the local paper that there has been a fatal hit and run, and notices that Brandon’s car is battered and bloodied. She then realizes that, for once, she may have power over her employers."Theatrical Release: New York and Los Angeles

Synopsis: "The film mainly follows the famous 1597 Battle of Myeongryang during the Japanese invasion of Korea (1592-1598), where the iconic Joseon admiral Yi Sun-sin managed to destroy a total of 133 Japanese warships with only 13 ships remaining in his command. The battle, which took place in the Myeongryang Strait off the southwest coast of the Korean Peninsula, is considered one of the greatest victories of Yi."Theatrical Release: Wide

Step Up: All InDirector: Trish SieCast: Ryan Guzman, Briana Evigan, Stephen Boss, Misha Gabriel, Izabella Miko, Alyson Stoner, Adam G. SevaniSynopsis: "Miami street dancer Sean Asa (Ryan Guzman) moves to Hollywood with visions of fame and fortune, only to discover the almost insurmountable odds of making it in the professional dance world. But when the new dance crew he forms with the beautiful and headstrong Andie West (Briana Evigan) reaches the final rounds of a high-stakes reality TV competition in glittering Las Vegas, he has a shot at finally making his dreams come true—if he can set aside old loyalties and long-time rivalries and just do what he loves most: dance."Theatrical Release: Wide

Synopsis: "The city needs heroes. Darkness has settled over New York City as Shredder and his evil Foot Clan have an iron grip on everything from the police to the politicians. The future is grim until four unlikely outcast brothers rise from the sewers and discover their destiny as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Turtles must work with fearless reporter April and her wise-cracking cameraman Vern Fenwick to save the city and unravel Shredder’s diabolical plan."Criticwire Grade Average: D+ (5 reviews)Theatrical Release: Wide

What IfDirector: Michael DowseCast: Daniel Radcliffe, Amanda Crew, Zoe Kazan, Rafe Spall, Megan Park, Adam Driver, Jemima Rooper, Meghan Heffern, Jordan Hayes, Mackenzie Davis, Vanessa MatsuiSynopsis: "Medical school dropout Wallace has been repeatedly burned by bad relationships. So while everyone around him, including his roommate Allan seems to be finding the perfect partner, Wallace decides to put his love life on hold. It is then that he meets Chantry an animator who lives with her longtime boyfriend Ben. Wallace and Chantry form an instant connection, striking up a close friendship. Still, there is no denying the chemistry between them, leading the pair to wonder, what if the love of your life is actually your best friend?"Criticwire Grade Average: B+ (4 reviews)Theatrical Release: New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Scottsdale and Arlington, VA

What Now? Remind MeDirector: Joaquim PintoCast: Joaquim Pinto, Nuno LeonelSynopsis: "Joaquim Pinto has been living with HIV and hepatitis C for almost twenty years. E Agora? Lembra-me chronicles a year of clinical studies with toxic, mind-altering drugs that have yet to be approved. A reflection not only on survival beyond all expectations but on love and friendship." [Locarno Film Festival]Criticwire Grade Average: A- (7 reviews)Theatrical Release: New York